Strong Tipperary rugby school looking forward to another Murgret Shield final

Clonmel High School 26  Colaiste Pobal Bantry 17

Clonmel High School’s Under 16 rugby team,the holders, advanced to the Mungret Shield Final following a hard-fought win against Colaiste Pobal Bantry on their 4G rugby pitch.

They will play Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig or Clonakilty Community School in the final on a date to be confirmed.

A sizeable home attendance of parents and students were served with a fantastic match, set against the backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains.

Despite the three-hour bus journey from West Cork, the Bantry side scored first following a slick passing move from their backs.

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Their lead was short-lived. An attacking lineout in the Bantry 22 allowed the High School pack to carry hard at the Bantry team. Sam Normile used his strength to power over and score his first try of the day, bringing the match level at five-all.

The High School began to assert their dominance. Conor Williams controlled things at out half while Olan Doocey at scrum half played very well. Strong carries from the forwards, in particular Patrick Normile, Jack Fitzpatrick and Sean Delahunty, gave captain Mbekezeli Masuku the opportunity to find a gap and score under the posts. Williams kicked the conversion to stretch the High School’s lead to 12-5.

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Bantry responded with some big carries from their strong pack and linked up well with their backs, who looked very sharp. Just as they were about to launch an attack from halfway, High School centre Cody Lee intercepted a pass and raced away to score under the posts. Williams kicked the conversion to extend the High School’s lead 19-5.

Just before half-time, Bantry scored their second try to leave the score 19-10 at the break.

The second half began with the same intensity as the first, and again the West Cork side were first to score following a well-worked try to reduce the High School’s lead to 19-17.

The match was in the balance, as both teams searched for the next crucial score. The High School back three of Callum Condon, Alex Pyke and Sean Woods were impressive in attack and defence, while centre Jerome Phelan linked well with Williams and Lee.

Sustained pressure from the High School forced a penalty and Williams kicked to the corner for a good attacking lineout position. The High School forwards Darragh Dempsey, Jakub Prazan and Natan Gucwa worked very hard in the ruck, allowing Sam Normile to crash over for his second try to the delight of the home support. Williams added the conversion to push the High School 26-17 ahead.

The High School introduced second half substitutes James Blanchfield, Kiernan Ryan and Seb Hopkins, who all made significant contributions to their team’s win.

Despite Bantry’s best efforts, they could not breach the High School’s defence and the match ended with a famous victory for the Clonmel school.

The High School will now play their second Mungret Shield Final in two years, having won the competition last year, defeating Bantry in the final. 

High School team: Callum Condon, Alex Pyke, Cody Lee, Jerome Phelan, Sean Woods, Conor Williams, Olan Doocey, Mbekezeli Masuku (captain), Sam Normile, Natan Gucwa, Jakub Prazan, Darragh Dempsey, Sean Delahunty, Jack Fitzpatrick, Patrick Normile, James Blanchfield, Seb Hopkins, Michael Maher, Kiernan Ryan, Jamie Cahill.